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Local artists must demand upfront portion of payment – Donald E. de Castro

- said Government's disrespectful behaviour towards local artists must stop
Outspoken radio talk show host Donald E. De Castro is urging musical performers to demand an advance payment for Festival 2016 performances and called on them to be paid for last year’s work prior to the start of this year’s activities. Photo: VINO
De Castro lauded the decision to lessen the number of foreign artists for the Virgin Gorda Easter Festival as had been announced two weeks ago. Photo: VINO/File
De Castro lauded the decision to lessen the number of foreign artists for the Virgin Gorda Easter Festival as had been announced two weeks ago. Photo: VINO/File
At the launch of the Virgin Gorda Easter Festival on February 26, 2016, Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn said that he could not give an exact time when performers for last year will be paid but he said that his ministry has done what it needed to do and that the matter was now with the Ministry of Finance. Photo: VINO/File
At the launch of the Virgin Gorda Easter Festival on February 26, 2016, Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn said that he could not give an exact time when performers for last year will be paid but he said that his ministry has done what it needed to do and that the matter was now with the Ministry of Finance. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Outspoken radio talk show host Donald E. De Castro is urging musical performers to demand an advance payment for Festival 2016 performances and called on them to be paid for last year’s work prior to the start of this year’s activities.

He was speaking on his monthly show Straight Talk, which aired on ZBVI 780 AM last evening March 9, 2016 between the hours of 8:00 pm and 9:00 pm.

On a previous show, de Castro had stated that he is among those contractors and service providers who were still waiting on payment for work done in 2015.

De Castro lauded the decision to lessen the number of foreign artists for the Virgin Gorda Easter Festival as had been announced two weeks ago.

“I hope that will continue. I also hope that those who performed last year get paid before this Festival begins and they should demand, I didn’t say ask. I said demand – a portion of their payment before the Festival just like how the overseas artists demand a percentage of their pay. The local artists should be treated the same way.”

He said too that following the receiving of the percentage they should get the balance of their money promptly after Festival.

“This kind of behaviour cannot continue in this territory. That kind of behaviour I consider to be disrespectful to our own people...when you put people to work and you don’t pay them. And this has got to stop,” he said.

At the launch of the Virgin Gorda Easter Festival on February 26, 2016, Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn said he could not give an exact time when performers for last year will be paid but he said his ministry has done what it needed to do and that the matter was now with the Ministry of Finance.

“We have given that information to the Ministry of Finance and we are waiting for them to pay the vendors. I have received an assurance from them that they are working assiduously on it. I apologise to the vendors that it is taking so long but I know that they will be paid very soon,” Hon Walwyn said.

12 Responses to “Local artists must demand upfront portion of payment – Donald E. de Castro”

  • hint hint (10/03/2016, 09:40) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    Remember please that we could no longer protect locals only expats and our rich white friends…the NDP is a set of oppressors
    • Huh! (10/03/2016, 11:42) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      whitey complaining about foreigners - what next?
      • Musicians need a union (10/03/2016, 15:45) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        The musicians need a union - does anybody know a failed businessman that could represent their interests?
  • conrad maduro (10/03/2016, 10:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    "what's good for the goose is also good for the gander"
  • chad (10/03/2016, 11:16) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    I am so sick of this topic. Dem say Myrun throw Kesmar under the bus telling someone if she had done what she supposed to do the people would have been paid
    • Yes (10/03/2016, 14:51) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply

      How stupid can the artist be? Demanding half upfront! Demand what they owe you and then demand all upfront! If you keep letting NDP treat you like sh*t, they will continue to do so! Make them respect you and your craft.

  • We soft. (10/03/2016, 18:48) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Everyone using the word demand. Its not as easy as that. We local glad for the opportunity to expose our art and our craft during festival. All other countries from StVincent to St kitts to Trinidad local play then get paid. Its here in the BVI, they playing with us because we soft in those other countries it would be bluud.
  • K Minor. (10/03/2016, 18:58) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Just don't put a woman at the helm and things will be ok. We will be fine with an agile, passionate and strong man at the helm...No more weak lazy women.
    • Groon Squad (10/03/2016, 20:14) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      please go from here with your old, dull boring post
    • BelongerWithABroaderPerspective (10/03/2016, 23:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @KMinor...Are you a cave man? What type of mail chauvinistic comment is that? A woman is running for president of the United States. I pray you don't have daughters are younger sisters who will suffering under your influence because all they will be are weak lazy women. Was your mother a weak lazy women when she gave birth to you? You sure are minor...Better yet...Non MotherF'N factor.
  • pat (11/03/2016, 23:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I'm proud to see people speaking out being thought of human again, after 4 long 'dead years' of myron !
  • still waiting (17/03/2016, 08:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Plenty of other government contracts completed back then after months of hard work and still not paid yet either.


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